Owatonna City Council Minutes
Administration Building
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
7:00 o’clock p.m.
The Owatonna City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the
Council Chambers of the City Administration Building. Council Chairman Abraham called the
meeting to order. Present were: Council Members Abraham, Dotson, Burbank, Raney, Schultz,
Svenby and Okerberg; Mayor Kuntz; City Attorney Walbran; Public Works Director Skov;
Community Development Director Klecker; City Administrator Busse and Assistant City Clerk
Clawson.
Council Chairman Abraham welcomed everyone to the meeting and Council Member Burbank led
everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council Chairman Abraham advised one item has been added to the Agenda; Item 1.3.2, Resolution
50-15 to considering adopting the proposed assessment after the public hearing. Council Member
Dotson made motion to approve the agenda with this item added. Council Member Svenby seconded
the motion; all members voted aye for approval.
Council Chairman Abraham explained tonight’s meeting will offer an opportunity for other council
members to experience a different role during the meeting. Council Vice Chairman Schultz was
asked to chair the remainder of the meeting and Council Member Dotson will present the Financial
Report.
Public Works Director Skov presented the proposed assessment for the emergency repair completed
during February at property located at 442 W Bridge Street. A privately owned water service at the
home had broken and was causing a public hazard within the roadway. At 7:05 p.m., Council
Member Schultz opened a public hearing for comments regarding the proposed assessment.
With no comments heard at 7:06 p.m., Council Member Abraham made a motion to close the public
hearing. Council Member Dotson seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval.
Public Works Director Skov presented Resolution 50-15 for adoption of the proposed assessment.
The assessment amount is $7,487.98 which represents costs of the repair and notice publication.
Council Member Dotson made a motion to approve Resolution 50-15 setting the term of repayment at
five years with an interest rate of 3.5%. Council Member Abraham seconded the motion, all
members voted aye for approval.
Mayor Kuntz made proclamation for Thursday, May 28, 2015 to be Zackary Schumaker Day. The
Moonlighters Exchange Club has selected Officer Schumaker as the 2015 Police Officer of the Year.
Council Member Dotson recapped the expenses for the period totaling $490,839.27. Council
Member Raney made a motion to approve payment of these bills; Council Member Okerberg
seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval.
Vice Chairman Schultz advised council members review the Consent Agenda Items prior to the
meeting to approve in one motion. Consent Agenda Items for approval include:
Minutes: City Council Meeting – May 5, 2015.
Event Permit – Street Dance – Just One More – June 12, 2015.
Event Permit – Barn Dance – SCCF – September 12, 2015 (Includes Temporary Liquor Permit).
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May 19, 2015
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Annual Retail Fireworks Permit – Vapor of Smoke – Office Max Parking Lot (tent).
Annual Retail Fireworks Permit – Target #1608.
Exempt Permit – Steele Spurs Chapter of NWTF – Raffle drawn August 23, 2015.
Building Department Monthly Report - April 2015.
Minutes – Airport Commission – April 14, 2015.
Annual Renewal Independent Contract – Tennis Pro – Pete Tellijohn.
Work Order #5 – Bolton & Menk for T-Hanger Taxilane Pavement Reconstruction Project.
Amendment #2 – MnDOT Agreement for Airport Maintenance and Operation Grant.
Assistant Clerk Clawson advised the May 5th Council Minutes will be corrected to include two
second motions made during the meeting which are not currently shown. Council Member Abraham
made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda Items with the May 5th Council Minutes correction.
Council Member Burbank seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval.
City Administrator Busse presented the application received from Maher Nassar, President of Smok
N Vape Inc. for a Tobacco License. This license will replace the current license held by the Smoke
Shop of Faribo, dba Star Tobacco at 1407 S Oak Avenue. The license will become effective
immediately and expire December 31, 2015.
Community Development Director Klecker presented a request for authorization to enter
into an agreement with the City of Sauk Centre, MN for the transfer of airport NonPrimary Entitlement Funds. Statutory provisions require a portion of FAA Airport
Improvement Program (AIP) dollars be apportioned by formula each year to National
Plan of Integrated Airport System (NPIAS) airports including the Owatonna Degner
Regional Airport. These funds are commonly referred to as Non-Primary Entitlement
(NPE) funds. The City of Owatonna is apportioned $150,000 NPE Funds each year
and can bank these funds for up to three years to help fund federally eligible projects.
If funds from the "first" year of banked funds are not used (4th year) they expire and
are turned back. In accordance with Federal Law (Section 47 l l 7C(2) of Title 49
U.S.C.) expiring funds may be transferred. MnDOT Aeronautics encourages
communities with expiring NPE funds to transfer to other communities within the state
that could benefit by accepting additional federal funds to assist with needed project
funding. The FAA requires all transfer agreements to be completed no later than June
l, 2015. Staff anticipates additional federal NPE funding will be needed above those
currently banked NPE funds currently available to the airport to complete the THangar Taxilane Re-Construction project identified in the City’s 2015 CIP. The City
of Sauk Centre has expiring funds currently in a “use it or lose it status” and is
willing to enter into a transfer agreement. Standard NPE transfer agreements provide
for the repayment transfer of future NPE funding from the original receiving airport if
requested. In the event that the City of Sauk Centre requests the repayment transfer
returned before federal fiscal year 2020 there shall be no obligation to repay more that
the transferred amount and interest shall not be applied. The anticipated agreement
provides for the transfer of $62,000.00 of expiring NPE funds from the City of Sauk
Centre. There will be a stipulation that the City of Owatonna will transfer $62,000.00
of future available NPE funds back to Sauk Centre if requested before federal fiscal
year 2020. Council Member Dotson made a motion to approve authorization of airport
Non-Primary Entitlement Funds with the City of Sauk Centre, MN; council member
Svenby seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval.
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There were no comments heard during Public Comment.
During Council Comments, Council Member Dotson thanked the Retrofit Company for hosting the
recycling event on Saturday, May 16, 2015; he thought it was quite a successful collection day. Council
Member Okerberg expressed thanks to: the Park & Rec Department for their role in sponsoring the
Saint Paul Saints game on Saturday, May 16th.; to the police officers and dispatchers for their service
and recognized observance of National Law Enforcement Memorial Day, May 15th; and to the
Owatonna Chamber of Commerce for the ribbon cutting event held last Thursday morning in
observance of National Preservation Month. Council Member Burbank wished everyone a safe and
happy Memorial Day. Council Member Raney thanked the city’s police officers for their service and
commented an officer was recently acknowledged in the newspaper’s “Letter to the Editor” for service
above and beyond. Council Member Abraham thanked Council Member Schultz for conducting
tonight’s meeting; staff and event organizers for activities over the weekend which ran smoothly and
then wished his brother and sister-in-law “Happy 31st Anniversary”. Mayor Kuntz thanked the Park &
Rec Department, the Bullpen Association, Viracon and others who assisted in bringing the Saint Paul’s
Saint’s Game to Owatonna this past weekend. City Administrator reminded everyone “Coffee with the
Council” is planned for Saturday morning, May 30th at the Kernel; United Way will be hosting a town
hall meeting this Thursday for follow-up on initiatives discussed during the previous meeting; the
Steele County Safety Camp for 4th Graders on June 4-5th, and the River Springs Water Park will be
opening on June 4th for the season. Council Member Schultz wished everyone a safe and happy
Memorial Day and asked everyone to take a minute to reflect on the intent of the day.
At 7:21 p.m., Council Member Raney made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Council Member
Abraham seconded the motion, all members present voted aye and the meeting was adjourned.
Dated: May 20, 2015
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanette Clawson, Assistant City Clerk